quicksearch
Tastings: May 2014
27 May 2014
88PTS
Clos du Soleil Fumé Blanc 2013
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, floral, bubblegum, nettle, grapefruit and herb aromas. Fresh, creamy, delicate palate with gooseberry, nettle, pea shoot, grapefruit and green apple flavours. Delicate, fresh style with a hint on hay and passion fruit on the finish. Impressive local sauvignon that continues to improve each year. Oysters anyone?Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
26 May 2014
85PTS
Castoro de Oro Estate Chardonnay Unoaked 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCanned peach, bruised apple, butter, pear aromas. Round, fresh, easy palate but a bit soft with buttery, diacetyl, baked apple, canned fruit and pear flavours. A bit old style and not all that varietal. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Matua Valley Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandGrassy, grapefruit, light roasted jalapeno, passion fruit and gooseberry aromas. Fresh, delicate, juicy palate with creamy acidity and a touch of austerity. Passion fruit, grapefruit rind, gooseberry, nettle, green peach, spicy flavours with a canned jalapeno finish. Good intensity and finesse with solid aftertaste. Fine effort here and better than most.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
25 May 2014
91PTS
Cobos Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFrom the Perdriel appellation in Luján de Cuyo the Marchiori Vineyard boasts 16 year old vines at 3,270 feet elevation. The fruit spends 18 months in French and American oak barrels of which 60 percent are new. Expect a powerful savoury nose with big blackberry and cocoa notes with floral undertones. The attack is supple with menthol, plums, tobacco and ripe olive flavours. Fine concentration and balance as always but on the big side. Best with grilled steaks now or cellar for five years.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Reserve de Vaudon 2012
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceMore like 2010 this is a delicious example of straight up Chablis. The fruit is bio-dynamically grown and the fermentation and ageing is all done in stainless steel for 7 to 8 months. Expect an expressive nose, at least for Chablis with floral, yellow fruits with bits of chalk and minerality. The attack is fresh with fine acidity, red apple fruit and stony minerality. A perfect oyster wine.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $32.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Chartron et Trébuchet Pouilly-Fuissé Cuvée de la Chapelle 2011
Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceGreen apple, tobacco leaf, lime, smoky, spicy lees, pea shoot aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant palate but somewhat lean with granny smith, herbal, grassy, spicy, lemon flavours. Solid if a bit short and sporting a rich price increase. Best with food.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
JoieFarm Re-Think Pink! Rosé (iii) 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, strawberry, rhubarb, green apple and bubble gum aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, slightly sweet palate with a rhubarb, spicy, grapefruit, strawberry and dried herb flavours. Fresh, simple, fruity style with a sweet and sour finish.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay 2013
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaBurnt toast, smoky, reductive garlic lees, struck matchstick, baked apple nose with pea shoot, passion fruit and guava aromas. Fresh, elegant, lighter style with juicy acidity. Creamy, garlic, nutty lees, baked green apple, peach, honey, smoky and more struck matchstick flavours. Good finesse but finish is marred by some residual sulfur notes. Give this some air when opened or another year in bottle.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NFL | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
LaStella Leggiero Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2013
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, bready, floral, lemon, struck matchstick, green apple and celery aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, lean palate with green apple skin, grassy, butter and oatmeal flavours. Leaner style with some bitterness and light extract. Made for simple seafood or chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Catena Alta Chardonnay 2010
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen rich baked green apple, light butter, peach, honey, lees, and grassy, spicy aromas. Dry, fresh, round and elegant with butter, spicy lees, peach, honey, smoky, grassy, grapefruit, oatmeal flavours. As always the intensity is big even warm in 2010 with a bits of brioche and apricot. We would love a little less fat and little more acid but I'm sure there are still many fans of this style.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Ferrari-Carano Middleridge Ranch Pinot Noir 2012
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesAttractive spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, strawberry jam nose with smoky, raspberry, worsteshire and vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy and tight but with elegance. Black cherry, smoky, vanilla, tea, tobacco, peppery, worsteshire, rhubarb and cocoa flavours combine in balance and finish with some light tannins still to shed. This needs two to three years to knock down some of its youthful oaky, chocolate notes. A riper, more consumer-friendly style of pinot but well made. Duck confit anyone?Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
| US | $42.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Domaine Pattes Loup Vent d'Ange Chablis 2011
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSeashell, lemon, grassy, lees, dried herb, apple skin aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, elegant, slightly austere palate with grassy, green apple, lime, creamy lees, light garlic and seashell flavours. Understated style but good balance and finesse for mid-term drinking.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Côte Bouguerots Grand Cru Domaine 2011
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceImpressive light honey, lees, seaweed, lime and green apple skin notes with dried herbs and grassy aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, round but slightly austere palate with creamy acidity. Lime, green apple skin, spicy lees, grassy, leafy, seaweed, butter and quince flavours with a hint of vanilla. Very elegant but also has an austerity and structure to age 2-5 years. Not as big as the 2010 but still offers fine intensity.Prices:| BC | $96.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $90.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $92.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceHoney, lees, guava, floral, lime, seashell and green apple aromas. Fresh, creamy, juicy acidity with green apple, pear, honey, seashell, lees and citrus flavours. Very good finesse and ripe but good acidity with length and persistence. Delicious now but should be good for 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLemon, nutty lees, green apple, oatmeal, peach pit aromas with a hint of vanilla. Dry, fresh, elegant, round palate with lemon, green apple skin, nutty lees, spicy, butter, red apple flavours. Good balance and elegance and solid value. Consistently well-made and understated. Super value in local chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Olivier Leflaive Meursault Narvaux 2009
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, butter, lemon, nutty, toasted baked apple, honey and guava aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with lemon, toasty lees, baked green apple, grassy, honey, apricot and light tropical flavours. A very classy, balanced village offering to drink over the next two years. Grilled halibut with fresh salsa would be perfect here.Prices:| BC | $79.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Kitten Swish Chardonnay Stich 2012
Sonoma County, California, United StatesAlberta-based wine buyer Brad Royale puts this wine together in Sonoma. Look for a spicy lees, butter, baked pear, red apple, struck matchstick and honey aromas. Fresh, round, soft, creamy palate but elegant with baked pear, honey, spicy lees, light butter, floral, grapefruit flavours. Very solid effort.Prices:| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig struck matchstick nose with nutty, green apple skin. Dry, fresh, elegant palate with nutty lees, waxy, oatmeal, lemon, butter, spicy, baked apple flavours with a creamy, slightly bitter finish. Good intensity and length but still with some sulphur pushing through. This will needs some time and for the moment decanting. Try this with roast chicken.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $35.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Pirramimma Shiraz 2011
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaBlack pepper, black olive, smoky, meaty, resin, black berry, blueberry and tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, warm palate with fresh acidity. Black berry jam, black pepper, liquorice, coffee, savoury, smoky vanilla flavours with a bit of saddle leather and tar on the finish. Warm, forward style with medium weight and solid fruit. Perfect for grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
StoneCap Chardonnay 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesRipe honeydew, baked apple, lees, vanilla, floral and butter aromas. Round, elegant, slightly soft and sweet palate with baked pear, honey, apple skin, butter flavours. Easy-sipping with a hint of heat and bitterness on the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Finca Los Primos Torrontés 2013
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBright floral, ripe apricot, lemon, ginger, baked apple, pear and herb aromas. Fresh, juicy, creamy, off-dry palate but balanced with lemon rind, ginger, rose petal, green apple and nectarine flavours. Clean, fruity and fun, this will be a summer favourite with all seafood and Asian cuisine. Another improvement and a great value here. Back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Finca Los Primos Chardonnay 2013
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPleasant light peach, citrus, lees, floral aromas. The attack is fresh and round, the palate creamy with light butter, lees, peach, pear skin and baked apple flavours. Clean, easy-sipping style that will go well with food. Solid value here with none of the overt butter or sweetness found in many wines at this price. Terrific value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
23 May 2014
87PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Reserve Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGarlic lees, toast, butter, smoky, lemon and green apple aromas. Dry, juicy but somewhat skinny and lean palate with lees, waxy, grassy, grapefruit, green apple skin flavours. Just a bit bitter in the back end that finishes short. Give this a year or two to see if the lees settles down and the fruit comes back.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Culmina Family Estate Dilemma 2011
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig buttery, lees, butterscotch, baked apple, honey, smoky, light garlic aromas. Fresh, dry, elegant palate with leesy, garlic, grassy, green apple skin, citrus rind, vanilla and pea shoot flavours with more buttery and beeswax in the finish. A solid start but somewhat overworked and showing a bit too much oak - old style. Serve this lobster or crab to best effect.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Hahn Winery Chardonnay 'Nicky Hahn' 2012
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesHoney, grassy, baked green apple, spicy lees, grapefruit, and orange aromas. Round, full, soft palate with butter, baked apple skin, pear, and grassy, leafy, vanilla and nutty lees flavours. Finish is a bit too warm and flabby with a bitter edge.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2011
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaChocolate, vanilla, cedar, liquorice, black cherry jam, black olive, poultry spice and dried thyme aromas. Full, round, rich and warm with some grainy tannins. Peppery, black berry jam, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, savoury, floral, olive and tobacco flavours. Very ripe, chocolate-y style with a warm, gritty finish. A less varietal interpretation that requires a rich piece of beef to tame its rich, boisterous notes.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Chardonnay 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIs this the year the Select Lot Collection Chardonnay gets its due topping the Reserve and nudging Perpetua. The attack is fresh and light offering lemon, floral, honey, vanilla notes with flecks of apricot. The American oak, a third new and one year old is beautifully integrated into the wine allowing the citrus, apple, floral, spicy lees flavours to leak through. Expect this to get better in the bottle over the next two years.Prices:| QC | $27.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
20 May 2014
86PTS
Le Fleurs du Mal Cevennes Rosé 2013
The evil flowers isn't moniker isn't likely to make me buy this wine but its pale colour and sapid palate is attractive. Expect a mix of citrus, cherries/strawberries and light peach on the nose and palate with a clean refreshing finish. Charcuterie on the patio works for me. Cevennes is the IGP covering the northern half of the Gard in mountainous terrain. Good value; fun summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Chateau Miraval Cote de Provence Rosé 2013
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceHaving stars like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt behind any wine can be a two-edge sword. In this case it's the good edge thanks to an excellent piece of dirt in Provence and a first rate winemaking partner in the Perrin family of Chateau Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape-famed. Like last year the colour is Provencal perfection, as is the nose that mixes fresh red fruits and yellow watermelon. The palate is an intriguing mix of savoury (garrigue) with electric stony, citrus minerality. A wine that makes you salivate from the first sip, offers delicate fruit and finishes dry. The blend is equally shared by cinsault, grenache, syrah and rolle (vermentino), Salad nicoise is the classic match here.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Spierhead Pinot Noir Rosé 2013
South Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh, dry nose with hints of soft, red fruits. The attack is similar with warm red fruit flavours reminiscent of strawberries and cherries with a resiny earthy undercurrent. There is a certain heft to the wine suggesting it would be better with slightly more substantial summer dishes, grilled chicken or cheeses.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Quails' Gate Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Provencal style has come to Quails' Gate and we couldn't be happier. You will love this delicate dry refreshing fruity rosé. Floral strawberry, sliced watermelon aromas mark the nose with dry but bright fruit. The mix is 60/30/10 gamy noir, pinot noir and pinot gris all kept separate until bottling. Love the delicate strawberry fruit style and its essentially dry finish. Grilled chicken salad and just about any summer salad works here. Well done.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Le Vieux Pin Vaïla Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVaïla is made via the saignée method, (bleeding the tank) early on of free run - pinot noir juice that only sees stainless steel storage. There is plenty to like here, the subtle fruit, the delicate structure, soft mouthfeel and pink grapefruit and dry finish. If only there was a bit more freshness (acidity) this would be excellent. Try it with a summer style charcuterie plate including cheese and olives.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Domaine Delaporte a Chavignol Sancerre Rose 2012
Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceAll Sancerre and all pinot noir make this a unique bottle for this market. The nose is a touch candied with floral raspberries, resiny notes flecked with earth and dried herb notes. The attack is delicate and soft with light strawberry and watermelon notes with firm acidity and a clean dry savoury finish. Fish or chicken works here as well as most summer salads.Prices:| CDN | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Marqués de Cáceres Rosé 2012
Rioja, SpainExpect a pale cherry red colour. The nose is fragrant and fruit with ripe scent of black cherries and strawberries. The attack is fresh with off-dry fruit flavours, spicy notes and a tinge of candy apple and caramel in the finish. Charming if a bit sweet; best served well chilled or with spicy foods. Barbecued ribs would be perfect.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Château la Mascaronne Quat'Saisons 2013
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceThe classic Provençal style is on display here thanks to a 70/16/14/ mix of cinsault, grenache and syrah. The first sip will get you salivating, always a clue to the wines freshness and minerality. Enjoy its nose of wild berries and fresh sliced watermelon with citrus and sea salt. A delicate juicy, quaffable style you won't be able to resist. Delicate sushi rolls are a perfect partner.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Stag's Hollow Syrah Grenache Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fresh sweet nose of wild berries with bits of citrus rind. The palate is awash in sweet strawberry fruit but at 5 g/l of sugar it is all tolerable, in fact it invites spicy dish to fully appreciate the style. Love the fresh watermelon and citrus fruit with just a hint of pepper. Bright fresh fruit and easy to sip this is an easy patio pick for the summer. The fruit is Osoyoos based syrah and grenache. Well done. Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
11 May 2014
87PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 394 Meritage 2011
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky, cedar bark, resin, tobacco, black olive, cassis, black cherry, prune and leather aromas. Round, fresh, elegant palate with cassis, tobacco, cedar bark, smoky resin, black cherry jam flavours with a bit of olive and herbs on the finish. A simple red that is balanced and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
10 May 2014
96PTS
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon To-Kalon Vineyard 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe To Kalon vineyard is 100 percent cabernet sauvignon and is the essence of the vineyard. Only the finest cuts make into this wine that effortlessly delves into the seamless. Elegance with power or intensity is the hallmark of To Kalon but like all the red made from the site it has that signature black berry savoury fruit and smooth chalky tannins. At nearly 16 percent alcohol it has power but you don't really notice it given the wine's finesse. It was a fabulous year with only a couple of heat spikes; the fruit was picked from September 25 through October 1. All hand-harvested it spends 43 days in contact with its skins followed by twenty six months of aging in new French oak. Only 279 cases produced. Cellar for a decade.Prices:| BC | $300.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe 2010 reserve is 94/4/2/mix of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and cabernet franc. The nose is a very pleasing aromatic fresh blackberry scented affair with bits of black olive, dried herbs and toasted oak. The texture is brilliant, with soft slippery fine grained tannins the preview its earthy, savoury black fruit mid-palate and finish. All class here and just a baby. A special edition given the cool year with no heat spikes and along ripening period. Forty days of skin contact precede 19 months in New French oak and multiple blending. Fabulous. Cases produced 7197.Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Salentein Killka Collection Red Blend 2012
ArgentinaSpicy, floral, cassis, black cherry, liquorice, cedar and light resin aromas. Fresh, round, elegant style with a touch of tannin and sweetness. Earthy, tobacco, cassis, blackberry, mocha, liquorice and savoury herb flavours. Light but well balanced entry level red. Excellent value for money ratio. Load up for parties.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 391 California Field Blend 2011
California, United StatesBig briary, blackberry jam, cedar, tobacco, liquorice root, smoky coffee aromas. Round, smooth, easy palate with light tannins. Smoky cedar, prune, blackberry jam, cedar, savoury, spicy, peppery, resin flavours. Warm with a lighter mid-palate but solid fruit flavours for that grilled meat or pizza. Well made for the price.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
The Grinder Shiraz 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaLight blackberry jam, smoked meat, savoury, earthy, liquorice nose with peppery, saddle leather aromas. Round, fresh, warm, easy palate with some sweetness. Blackberry jam, riparian/tobacco, smoky, meaty, roasted bell pepper and leather flavours. Simple, sweeter style red with a warm finish. Best with barbecue meats.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
09 May 2014
88PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Syrah 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen inviting boysenberry, black pepper, floral, meaty, liquorice nose with smoky herb and light vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant entry, if somewhat light bodied with some easy-sipping tannins. Juicy berry, vanilla, coffee, cedar, tobacco, meaty, peppery, liquorice and cedar flavours with a tobacco, smoky, leather finish. Good finesse but somewhat lacking in concentration. Should improve over the next 2-3 years as it balances. Food friendly.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
08 May 2014
85PTS
Johnny Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaClassic Johnny Q, easy-sipping South Eastern Australia cabernet sauvignon. Rip black fruit flavours and dried herbs with a dollop of oak and vanilla with a touch of acidity pushing through the back end. Ready to drink and would be fine with most grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
07 May 2014
90PTS
Martin's Lane Pinot Noir 2013
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt is year three for Martin's Lane pinot crowned the best pinot noir under GBP 20 at the Decanter World Wine Awards. A very early look reveals a medium colour with an attractive spicy/earthy nose mixing red fruits, smoke and floral mineral note. A cool style reminiscent of New Zealand and Chile with fresh, juicy red fruit flavours flecked with pepper, red cherries and strawberry fruit with some classic Okanagan dried herbs. The finish is round and stylish with adequate complexity and length.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Mission Hill Select Lot Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh green apple, passion fruit, pink grapefruit nose with butter, vanilla and pea shoot aromas. Crisp, juicy, elegant palate with some youthful austerity. Fine gooseberry, white raspberry, green apple, nettle, passion fruit and floral, vanilla flavours. A touch lean at this stage but with solid finesse. A wonderful nervosa tension that will hold it in fine stead for the next few years. Made for food.Prices:| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Martin's Lane Riesling 2012
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRecently re-tasted and there is little doubt this wine is finally settling into a groove as is the collaboration of winemakers John Simes and Fritz Hasselbach. The fruit is sourced from the steepest slopes of the estate vineyard facing southwesterly on Mission Hill Road. The nose is floral and fresh with juicy fruit reminiscent of fresh pear flecked with cherries and tangerines — intense refined and well worth contemplating. Try it with your favourite summer gazpacho or foie gras pate with a rocket salad.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
05 May 2014
88PTS
La Crema Chardonnay 2012
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe 2012 harvest self-described as generous has yielded a classic La Crema. Fashionably fat with buttery tropical fruit notes there's enough citrus and ripe apple flavours to keep it fresh before a finishing with bits of toasted oak and butterscotch. Try with whole roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Obikwa Chenin Blanc 2012
Western Cape, South AfricaLight floral, green apple, citrus, pear aromas. Round, soft, fresh palate with a bit of sweetness. Grapefruit, gooseberry, red apple and lees flavours. Simple, clean, easy sipping style. Good value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Lagaria Pinot Grigio 2013
Veneto, ItalyFloral, ripe pear, red apple, light earthy aromas. Fresh, round, juicy palate with a hint of sweetness. Honey, spicy, baked pear, apple skin and citrus flavours. A bit thin and tart on the finish but it is built for food. Try this with a classic summer salad.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| US | $7.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Painted Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother lees than generous vintage has yield a smoky, tobacco, green olive, green bean nose with cassis, saddle leather, coffee, resin and leafy aromas. Dry and lean with some youthful tannins at this point but still juicy. Dusty herbs, savoury cassis, coffee, smoky, tobacco leaf flavours. More elegant style but on the acidic side and will require two to three years to fatten up a bit and smooth out. Best with roasted meats at this point.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Painted Rock Red Icon 2011
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, black cherry, plum, savoury, chocolate, vanilla, gamey nose with black pepper and liquorice root aromas and a smoky, saddle leather note. The attack is fresh and elegant but with a slightly tart palate. Plum, black cherry, clove, vanilla, black pepper, smoky, savoury, black olive and liquorice flavours mix with tobacco, green tea and Oxo finish. It has the balance and finesse but will need another two to four years to flesh out and spread its wings.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Miss Molly by Môreson Hoity Toity Chenin Blanc Viognier 2012
South AfricaArtichoke, light bell pepper, chalky, herbal aromas with a light green apple and lemon note. Fresh, juicy, round palate with some sweetness. Canned jalapeno, grassy, grapefruit, lemon and nettle flavours. Okay balance but more like sauvignon blanc with a sweet and sour finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Le Jaja de Jau Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Cotes de Gascogne, Sud-Ouest, FranceJaja, or everyday wine in the local dialect, aptly describes this white. Dry, fresh and lip smacking attack with grassy, citrus, grapefruit, jalapeno flavour. The wine spends six months in stainless steel before release and sees no wood. Most shellfish work here although oysters would be my first stop. Fine value too.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Tenuta Cocci Grifoni Le Torri 2008
Marche, ItalySpicy, savoury, peppery, black berry, leather, smoky, meaty, light brettanomyces, balsamic and liquorice root aromas. Dry, fresh, round, juicy palate with light tannins. Leather, tobacco, savoury, peppery, meaty, black olive and menthol flavours. A lighter, more rustic style that could be a bit cleaner. The blend is montepulciano (55%) and sangiovese (45%) matured for fourteen months in Slovenian oak barrels and aged in bottles for at least 6 months.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2011
Coastal Region, South AfricaHoney, spicy, baked pear, vanilla, pea pod, nutty, guava and lime aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, creamy palate with light nutty lees, honey, butter, guava, baked pear, smoky vanilla and grapefruit flavours. Good finesse and fruit with lots of flavour intensity. Consistently excellent example of chenin blanc.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Domaine de L'Olivette Red 2012
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFresh black olive, black liquorice and poultry spice with bits of tobacco, black cherry and meat aromas. Fresh, round, juicy palate in a light but balanced manner with more black cherry fruit, pepper, resin and licorice flavours. A solid, elegant, lighter red for current consumption. Serve with grilled meats off the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Spier Creative Block 5 2010
Tygerberg, Coastal Region, South AfricaSmoky leather, spicy, cedar, cassis, black olive, vanilla, green bean, vanilla and menthol aromas with a hint of leather and prune. Fresh, round, juicy, dry palate with light, grainy tannins. Peppery, smoky, coffee, vanilla, cedar, menthol, cassis, black cherry, earthy, meaty, vanilla flavours with a bit of olive, medicinal and smoked meat on the finish. Cooler style with some finesse but could use another one to three years to better integrate the oak and tannins.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc Private Collection 2011
Tygerberg, Coastal Region, South AfricaRipe pear, honey, vanilla, spicy lees, quince, almond, floral and citrus aromas. Ripe, round, rich, full palate and very creamy. Spicy lees, nutty, vanilla, honey, baked apple, ripe pear, grapefruit and guava flavours. Elegant but a rich, somewhat fatter style with a juicy finish with a hint of sweetness. Good with halibut.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Poggio Salvi di Montalcino Brunello di Montalcino 2008
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, peppery, tobacco, smoky, coffee nose with aromatic cedar, blackberry, liquorice, caraway, vanilla and curry notes. Fresh, juicy, warm palate with light tannins and black pepper, gamey, black cherry, leather, Oxo cube, coffee, resin, smoky herb and tobacco flavours. Needs a few years to flesh out but on the lighter side of rich and lengthy.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Full Circle Red Blend Organic Wine 2012
Mendocino County - Lake County, California, United StatesCoffee, chocolate, prune, black berry jam, peppery, inky, vanilla bean aromas with a smoky, herbal note. Soft, round, fresh, somewhat sweet entry palate with light chalky tannins. Cinnamon, savoury, poultry spice, candied orange peel, cherry jam, liquorice, chocolate, cedar bark, tobacco leaf and olive flavours. Finish is very warm and somewhat lean.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Tempranillo 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar bark, soupy, prunes, balsamic, meaty nose with leather and resin flecks. Dry, round, elegant but somewhat lean palate with cedar, coffee, vanilla, resin, earthy, black cherry jam, licorice, canned prune and poultry spice flavours. Very oaky finish with some light, dry tannins and somewhat flat. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Township 7 Reserve 7 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, roast bell pepper, peppery, smoky, black olive, tobacco leaf and cedar aromas. Dry, light, somewhat lean and hollow palate with gritty tannins. Coffee, vanilla, smoky, tobacco leaf, cassis, herbal, resin, cedar bark flavours. Very young but rustic and somewhat herbaceous, needs two to four years to soften.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Conundrum White 2011
California, United StatesGinger, honey, floral, apricot, rose petal, muscat-y, meaty summer sausage, grapefruit aromas. Round, soft, easy palate with some residual sweetness. Apricot, honey, baked apple, canned grapefruit, floral, spicy, earthy flavours. Elegant but light with plenty of sweetness. A summer sipper style bets served with spicy appetizers.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $0.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
03 May 2014
81PTS
Honey Badger Sweet Red 2012
Western Cape, South AfricaSmoky, tobacco, black berry jam, meaty, earthy aromas. Fresh, juicy, sweet palate with smoked meat, black olive, earthy, liquorice, chocolate and tobacco flavours. Not an endearing style with the sweet and long smoked meat aftertaste reminiscent of bbq sauce. I'm guessing there is a market for this kind of wine and I wish them well.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Shiraz 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, black pepper, black cherry, liquorice nose with floral, gingerbread, roasted bell pepper and tobacco notes. The palate is dry, fresh and juicy if on the lean side. The attack is elegant with black cherry, liquorice, smoke, cedar, tobacco savoury game flavours. A skinny version that needs a year or two to round out. Serve now with lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.70 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, celery salt, herbal, earthy and raspberry aromas lead to a juicy attack with very light tannins and peppery, soft, cedar, strawberry and vanilla flavours. Youthful and soft and ready to drink. Simple, but in a good way, allowing the fruit tell its story. Serve now with salmon steaks or cellar for year or two.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
June 2014